Motorola hopes that a price cut will help out its laggard Honeycomb tablet

The writing has been on the while for quite some time now:
Motorola's Xoom tablet has been a sales
bomb in the marketplace. The Xoom was the flagship model for Google's
Honeycomb tablet operating system, but newer competition has hit the ground
running with cheaper models and sleeker designs.

1) I know that the LTE upgrade is free for the 3G models, but what about the WiFi model? Is it possible to pay $100 and get an LTE chip installed in that when it comes out?

2) Why is there an off-contract price and an on-contract price for the 3G models? How about you get the vice grip off people's balls and (dare I say it) follow what Apple did with the iPad: Just sell the 3G model and let the customer decide on their accord when to set up their account rather than punishing them with $200 fee just to go off contract.

Okay did more research into this. Here is the main reason why this is utterly failing:

On Verizon, you can get a 32GB 3G iPad for $729, which may sound like a lot, but it is contract free. Furthermore, you can get the cheaper 16GB option with 3G for $629.

If you want the Xoom on a contract free account, its 32GB 3G model costs $799. You can get the 3G Xoom for $599 sure, but you MUST sign up for a 2 year contract if you want that price...WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!

Who cares if either are contract free? you pay the same monthly fee whether you sign the contract or not. If there was a discount for paying full price and not signing a contract, that would be different. Sounds like a ripoff to buy one out of contract to me.

Exactly, that's how they get you! You are forced to pay 24 months of at least $30 a month! What if you don't want to after a couple months? What if you move to an area with a crappy signal? What if you want to switch carriers entirely?

My point is there should only be a no contract one and it should be priced at $599 period. Don't tie the consumer down to bullsh|t.

1. the iPad users who have more money than they know what to do with and spend it on a name more than anything

2. the potential Android tablet users who were waiting on a finished version of Android for tablets. Now that some have come out, the sales will increase. However, some tools for Android tablets are missing for right now, delaying some people from buying. When we see more of the tools we want for these tablets, we'll buy one. (I also happen to be in the middle of transitioning jobs, so my purchase of a Galaxy Tab has been delayed a couple weeks while my paychecks catch up to me. I will have one when my first paycheck for this new job comes in.)

Except for all the basic functionality that iPad doesnt support. I watch starcraft 2 vods on my xoom that are streamed from a website via flash. Well theres is no app that, therefore the ipad cant do it. Moronic restrictions like that prevent people who know what a tablet SHOULD be able to do from buying a tablet. And there are many many more.

The purpose of a tablet is to be an ultra portable computer. NOT to be an ultra large iPod touch. If Apple doesn't wake up to that soon they are going to see their market share for tablets go the same direction as their market share for smartphones.

I love my xoom. And I think any tech savy indivual would enjoy it or one of its other honeycomb counterparts. But when my tech noob friend wanted to buy a tablet i directed him right to apple, because he wouldnt be able to figure out how to make proper use of a droid. It hurt a little inside but i saved myself a lot of future tech support.

If you are comfortable being in a tech noob category then enjoy your ipad.

quote: If you are comfortable being in a tech noob category then enjoy your ipad.

This is the sort of stubborn attitude that is completely unnecessary.

If the device fits your needs, then so be it. Choosing one item doesn't make you more intelligent or else.

Say for example, I am a software developer, I have an Android phone, but I choose to buy an iPad for fun.

btw, as you seems to be an expert, you should have bought Acer Iconia or Transformer, instead of the overpriced Xoom.As you can see, you have your own reasons to justify this kind of decision.Does that make you a noob? We all know it doesn't.

Keep drinking the Kool-Aid, buddy. There's a market for a consumption device, and the iPad is just one of many. Apple might have been first to market with a well packaged tablet, but they won't be the last, and that doesn't make them the best, no matter what the sheep think.

LOL @ Apple fanatics trying to justify cost with everything. I don't want an iPad because I don't like anything Apple craps out. But I was messing with a Transformer at Micro Center the other day and it had a crowd of people around it. A tablet with a keyboard. Just wait till Apple copies that and calls it an "innovation".

I am happy with my Xoom. I has enough flexibility to justify itself over an iPad, although the iPads are very nice. I am unhappy that we still have not seen a 4G upgrade for it, but since I don't currently use the 3G feature (although I will in the future), I am not too worried about it.